Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, has challenged Ghanaian youth to stop waiting for opportunities. She urged them to start preparing to create value instead. Speaking to over 100 university students at the 2026 National Youth Mentorship Summit, she said Ghana’s future will be shaped by how young people “choose to show up.”
The summit, held at the University of Ghana, focused on “Youth Innovation and Wealth Creation, Shaping Ghana’s Future.” It was organized by the Lec Group, an educational NGO promoting financial literacy and investment habits among youth. Mrs. Fiagbenu’s presentation combined personal stories with frank assessments of the challenges facing young graduates.
She stated that the biggest problem for young graduates is not unemployment, but unpreparedness. Fiagbenu recounted her difficulty finding a suitable candidate for a communication role despite numerous applications. This experience, she noted, reflects a broader issue in the job market. Many young people claim there are no jobs, but she respectfully disagreed, saying jobs exist but require highly prepared individuals.
Employers seek disciplined, competent, and reliable individuals. Excellence, she stressed, should be a lifestyle, not something activated only when an opportunity arises. This perspective is crucial for Ghana’s economic development, which relies on a skilled and ready workforce. The country’s youth bulge presents both an opportunity and a challenge for job creation and human capital development.
Fiagbenu urged students to shift from consuming content to creating solutions. She questioned the time spent commenting on social media, suggesting that entertainment should not be life’s sole purpose. Instead of watching successful people, she encouraged them to become individuals worth watching. She advised young people to ask, “What problem can I solve?” rather than waiting for jobs.
The reality, she emphasized, is that most young Ghanaians will build their lives in Ghana. Therefore, the choices they make today will determine the nation’s future. Fiagbenu highlighted that character development begins long before university. She cited her mother, who despite no formal education, taught her discipline and responsibility.
Simple habits like these define who individuals become. University provides academic knowledge, but character is built through consistent effort and values. Albert Prempeh Kusi, Founder and CEO of LEC Group, also spoke at the summit. He encouraged students to cultivate innovative and creative thinking to thrive in today’s sophisticated job market.
Kusi further advised students to invest in the capital market, even with small amounts of money. This, he explained, could help secure funding for their future business ventures. This aligns with broader national efforts to foster entrepreneurship and financial inclusion among the youth.
Fiagbenu concluded with a three-point charge: “Sit up. Show up. Show up with excellence.” She advised students to read widely, develop skills, build character, and be disciplined. Creating solutions and being ready before opportunity knocks makes success inevitable. The future of Ghana, she asserted, is the responsibility of its youth.